Teachers’ meeting with Government yields nothing

By Jjunju Francis

29^th June 2022

 picture called at the begining of secong term

Government and the Teachers’ Union have failed to agree on the ending of the industrial action that has seen government schools closed for business since 15^th June 2022.

On June 28^th government called the teachers’ leaders through their Union the Uganda National Teachers Union, the Uganda National Organisation of Trade Union led by Usher Wilson Owere, officials from the Ministry of education and public service to negotiate for the teachers’ salary enhancement.

The meeting held at the offices of the Vice President near Parliament chaired by the vice president Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupo, in presence of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service Catherine Bitarakwate, workers members of Parliament, and Uganda National Teachers Union Leaders among others has ended with no solution reached.

According to the UNATU Chairman in the Central region Vincent Wamboka government has maintained its stand that there is no money to increase salaries for Arts teachers at the moment but it can be considered in the future and in a phased manner.

The only option is to go back to school and teach until they secure the money.

However UNATU leaders refused to take chances to just go by mere words to end the industrial action, they want the government to make a commitment in writing called the collective bargaining agreement clearly indicating the exact time when government will effect the pay rise.

Government in its FY budget for 2022/23 committed to increase salaries for all the science teachers were a diploma holder will earn 3.5m Shs while a degree hold will get 4 m Shs a decision which enraged Arts teachers forcing them to go for an industrial action.